Flying platform velocipede



Jan. 5, 1965 D. ONEAL 3,164,391

FLYING PLATFORM VELOCIPEDE Filed Aug. 4, 1961 4-Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.Don O'NeaI I BY Lo y' t.

flfarneys Jan. 5, 1965 Filed Aug. 4. 1961 D. ONEAL FLYING PLATFORMVELOCIPEDE 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 w um,

Jan. 5, 1965 D. O'NEAL FLYING PLATFORM VELOCIPEDE 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 FiledAug. 4, 1961 24 i 87 as ee 1N VENToR. Don O'Neal 5 jflbrneys Jan. 5,1965 D. O'NEAL 3,164,391

FLYING PLATFORM VELOCIPEDE Filed Aug. 4, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR.Don ONeal oQm'h, pi 'm 3,164,391 Patented Jan. 5., 1965 3,164,391 FLYINGrmrronrvr vnrocnnnn B011 ONeal, 2349 s. an] St, Springfield, ni. FiledAug. 4, 1961, Ser. No. 1sa727 4 Clm'ms. c1. zen-1.12

This invention relates broadly to vehicles and more particularly relatesto a velocipede which as a toy simulates certain recent developments inaircraft. More specifically, the invention relates to a velocipede ortoy vehicle simulating certain types of flying saucers or flyingplatforms, and for the present purposes is so described.

One type of flying platform is so designed that the operator ordinarilystands up during operation. The present vehicle, although it remains onthe ground, is primarily a toy simulating such a platform and ischaracterized by certain features permitting the operator to stand upduring operation.

An object of the invention is provision of a vehicle having a steeringmeans so constructed as to define a cockpit for the operator.

One object of the present invention is to provrde a novel foot operateddrive means for a velocipede or other vehicle whereby the operator canstand up while operating it.

Another object of the present invention is to provide FIG. 5 is apartial cross-sectional view of the steering means as viewed along line55 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is an exploded enlarged cut-away View of the one-way clutchillustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged partial elevation showing one embodiment of abrake.

Throughout the figures the same numbers are used to refer to the sameelements.

FIG. 1 shows the general organization of elements for a vehicle forminga flying platform velocipede 1. The various elements of the velocipedeare supported from a platform assembly 2 which is preferably of circularconstruction to simulate the full scale flying platform referred toabove. The platform assembly is supported above the ground or othersurface along which the vehicle moves by a ground engaging means thatincludes a pair of spaced apart guide wheels 3 disposed on one side ofthe platform and a pair of spaced apart traction wheels 4 locateddiametrally opposite the guide wheels on the other side of the platform(see FIG. 5). A steering means 6 is supported in a generally centralposition and provides within the vertical projection thereof space for anovel drive means for a vehicle or velocipede whereby the operator onlyhas to use one foot to operate the same, by a series of reciprocatingstrokes.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel steering meansfor a toy vehicle or velocipede whereby the operator can simultaneouslysteer and support himself in a standing position while operating thedrive means.

The invention also contemplates achieving the foregoing objects in anysuitable combination of one with another.

A vehicle in accordance with the contemplated embodiment comprises aplatform supported oif the ground by a combination of guide means andtraction means. The guide means is preferably a pair of wheels supportedto turn through a horizontal arc relative to the platform. The tractionmeans is preferably a pair of wheels secured to the platform andconnected to the drive means.

The drive means contemplates a foot-operated member biased to itsstarting position. The foot-operated member is connected to the tractionmeans (or drive wheels) through a one-way clutch and a suitabletransmission such as a belt and pulley arrangement. Preferably, the beltand pulley is of positive-drive. character, such as a chain andsprocket. V

' The guide means is preferably connected to the steering means by abelt and pulley arrangement. The steering means is convenientlyrevolvably supported from the platform and preferably includes a largediameter steering wheel with an unobstructed center. The steering wheelis supported at a convenient height from the platform whereby theoperator can both support himself and steer while operating the drivemeans. The operator ordinarily stands in the unobstructed centralportion. during operation.

Other objects, advantages and features are to be observed from thefollowing more detailed description when read in conjunction with theassociated drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective assembly view of a preferred embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional elevation of the assembly of FIG. 1 as seenalong line 2-2 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a partial cross-section view, through section 44 of FIG. 3, ofa detail of the steering means.

an operator to stand and to operate the drive pedal 8 and the brakepedal 10. v

Details of elements 2-10 are found in FIGS. 2 through 7 where it is seenthat the platform assembly 2 includes a preferably circular platform 12which is surrounded by a skirt 14 having therein guide wheel slots 16.The

upper edge 15 of the skirt is also flared and rolled under.

as a safety feature. The platform may conveniently be made of plywood ormetal and the skirt 14 may advantageously be rolled from metal andsecured to the platform by any suitable means such as screws, nuts andbolts, or welding if both be of weldablemetals.

The guide wheels 3 are supported underneath the platform. 12 by amounting means 20 which. supports the guide wheels to turn relative tothe platform through a generally horizontal are about the generallyvertical axis when the vehicle is being steered during the'course ofmoving along the ground or other surface. The mount ing means moreparticularlyincludes a shaft 21 at opposite ends of whichthe respectiveguide wheels 3 are secured. The shaft 21, or front axle, is revolvablysupported in a turning bracket 22 having the general configuration of aninverted U or an inverted channel-shaped structure comprising axle legs22a and a bracket back 22% connected between the respective legs. At thecen tral portion of the turn bracket is a bolster 24 preferablycomprising one or more large generally circular washers or bearingplates which are maintained between the bracket back 22 and theunderside of theplatform 12 by a bolster pin 26 which mostadvantageously comprises a rivet or a nut and bolt extending through thesandwich of platform 12, bolster 24 and back 2212. A review of the guidewheels and guide wheel mounting means of FIGS. 2, 3 and 5 reveals thatthe guide Wheels are revolvably mounted from the platform 12 by means ofthe bolster pin 26. The guide wheels 3 are turned to an appropriateposition responsive to the motion dictated by a hereinafter describedsteering linkage which connects the guide wheels through their mountingmeans to the steering means 6. Bolster pin 26 is conveniently a bolthaving a nut locked on by a cotter key or the like.

The traction wheels 4 drive in .a normally straight ahead position andare respectively mounted on the opposite ends of a shaft 31. Thetraction wheels 4 are keyed or otherwise secured to the shaft 50 thatthey rotate in unison therewith. The guide wheels 3, on the other hand,do not have to be keyed to their shaft 21 and preferably are not inorder to obtain a differential action between the guide wheels in thecourse of steering the vehicle. The shaft or rear axle 31 is revolvablymounted in a rear bracket 32 which constructed in a fashion similar tothe turn bracket and has a pair of spaced apart legs 32:: depending fromopposite ends of a back 325. The rear bracket is secured to theunderside of the platform 12 by any suitable means, screws 34 beingshown.

A brake drum 35 is secured to the axle 31, preferably at a pointintermediate the rear bracket leg 32a. This is most clearly illustratedin FIGS. 3 and 7. The brake drum can be all metal (FIG. 7) or coatedwith a friction material (FIG. 3). The brake pedal 1-0 extendsvertically from the horizontal arm of reinforced bell crank 37 which ispivotally supported from the bell crank brake pivot 39. A brake surface48 either of metal or with a friction lining (FIG. 7) is supported fromthe vertical arm of the bell crank 37 in aposition to engage the drum35. A brake return spring :2 is connected between the pedal 10 and theplatform 12 in such fashion as to maintain the brake normally disengagedand to return the same to a disengaged position after actuation. As seenin FIGS. 3 and 7, suitable screws are employed to fashion the bell crankpivot to the underside of the platform 12.

Also, a hole 19a is cut through the platform so that the pedal 16 canextend upwardly thercthrough. For convenience in assembly,.the enlargedhead at the top of the brake pedal can be screwed on after passing thevertical arm through the hole 10a. constructed.

The rear axle 31 is also connected to the drive pedal 8 through aone-way clutch and a chain-and-sprocket arrangement. The particulararrangement is best illustrated in FIGS. 2," 3 and 6. With thearrangement described, it is possible for an operator to support himselfin a standing position by grasping the steering means a and to propelthe vehicle using only one foot to operate the drive pedal 8, whichlatter also serves to direct power to the traction wheels 4.

As best seen in FIGS. 2, 3 and 6, the drive means associated with drivepedal 8 comprises a ratchet-and-pawllike one-Way clutch 48 having aclutch shaft 59 secured to the underside of platform 12 by means of apair of brackets 52 secured to each end thereof and in turn bolted tothe underside of the platform. The brackets 52 may be of any suitabledesign, and preferably comprise a metallic block having flanges 53 oneach side thereof, there being holes through the flanges through whichthe screws 54 pass to secure the same to the platform.

A power output'member 56 is revolably supported from the clutch shaftand includes an outer toothed flange-like portion with'a series of teeth58 which operates as a drive sprocket to engage thechain 6!] thereby totransfer power to the pinion 62 which is secured on the traction wheelshaft 311 a The power output member 56 also includes a ringlike portion64 extending from one side of the member toward the pawl crank 66. Theringlike portion is coaxial with the shaft and has a plurality ofperipherally spaced internal teeth 68 each of which teeth is connectedto the next succeeding tooth by a pawl repositioning cam surface 74)which extends from the root of one tooth to the crest of the nextsucceeding tooth.

, A pawl 72 is slidably supported from the clutch shaft 50 by means ofan elongate slot 74 located in the central portion of the pawl 72. Theclutch shaft passes through the elongated slot whereby the sliding pawl72 moves back and forth (from right to left and vice versa as seen inFIG. 6) responsive to repositioning actuation by the surface 7 as willbe further explained below.

A pawl guide block 76 is secured to the pawl crank 66 and rotatestherewith. Guide block '76 s'lidably receives and supports the slidingpawl 72 and also permits the clutch shaft to pass through itself bymeans of the hole 78. j The pawl crank and guide block are supported forarcuate motion relative to the clutch shaft by means of the shaft hole78 and a corresponding aligned hole in the crank 66.-

Drive pedal 8 is similarly accommodate operators of different heights.

The drive pedal 3 is pivotally connected by any suitable means to thepawl crank and at a radius from the clutch shaft. The connecting meansmay ad vantageously comprise a rivet passed through aligned holes andsecured on one end by a cotter key as seen in FEG. 2. A drive returnspring 82 biases the drive pedal to its starting position whereby onlyone foot of the operator is required to drive the vehicle because thespring resets the pedal 8. Thus. the propelling force applied to pedalis opposed by the spring $2.

The steering means 6 includes a cage assembly movably supported from theplatform and having a ringlike preferably circular closed member 84-that is supported above the platform on the plurality of columns as. Thelower end of each column 86 extends through an arcuate slot 33 to apoint below the platform 12, where each connects to the base assembly,including the lower ring $43.

The steering means may preferably be adjustable to In such case, theupper part of the columns 86 is welded to the ring 84 but is hollowthereby to telescopingly receive a male member 87, the two columnmembers 35, 87 being secured together by a nut and bolt assembly 89.

The lower end of the column is secured, as by welding, to a second,lower ring Ml which is supported beneath the platform 12 in a positionsuch that it does not interfere with other shafting or mechanism, suchas shown in FIGS.

' 2 and 3. The cage assembly is completed by the ring 9%.

The cage assembly is such that the upper ring and columns define acockpit within which the operator stands while operating the pedals andsteering.

The ring 9% has a plurality of spokes 92 extending inwardly to a hub 94.As best seen in FIG. 5, the hub includes a spindle on the upper endthereof, and the spindle is revolvably received in a hub spindle journal98 which is secured by any suitable means such as screws to theunderside of the platform.

The hub is a portion of the steering linkage means which is best shownin FIGS. 3 and 5 and which includes a pulley portion ltltl mounted inflange fashion on the lower end of the hub. A cable 1&2 has both endstied to a turn bracket cross piece lfiand extends around the pulley 16G.The cable is clamped or otherwise secured to the pulley ltlt by anysuitable clamping means 1% so there can be no relative motion betweenthe cable and pulley.

The steering cage assembly comprising the upper and lower rings 84, )9,the column members 86, 8'7 and 89 also includes a bearing means formovably supporting the steering means 6 from the platform whereby thesteering means can be revolved. This is best seen in FIG. 4 where aforked bracket lid is shown secured to the member 87 by any suitablemeans such as a bolt 112. The forked portion of the bracket supports abearing axle 114. Snap rings lie maintain the axle in place. A hearingwheel H3 is supported on the axle in engagement with the upper surfaceof platform 12. If desired, self-lubricating journal or anti-frictionbearings may be provided to support the bearing wheel on the axle.

As seen in FIG. 1, each of the column members has its own bearing means.This is the preferred embodiment since it reduces the load on eachbearing means, drastically reduces binding or cocking, and generallyserves to maintain the steering gear in the correct alignment.

Operation of the flying platform velocipede is believed to be reasonablyevident from the foregoing description. Steering is accomplished byturning the steering means 6 in the appropriate clockwise or counterclockwise direction, in which case the guide wheels 3 are moved anappropriate amount in response thereto by means of the steering linkage.When it is desired to stop the vehicle during operation, the brake pedal10 is depressed whereupon, as best seen in FlG. 7, the brake surface 4bengages the drum 35 and the vehicle comes to a halt. When the operatorremoves his foot from the brake pedal 10, the return spring 42disengages the brake.

When propelling the vehicle by one foot operation, a drive cycle of twostrokes is obtained. The first is a power or drive stroke which isaccomplished by the operator depressingthe pedal 8 against the bias ofspring 82 and thereby causing the sliding pawl 72 to engage one of theinternal teeth 68. Continued depression of the drive pedal causes thepawl crank 66 to rotate about the clutch shaft. During this rotation thesliding pawl, being engaged with one of the internal teeth 68, causesthe power output member 56 to rotate thereby driving the drive wheels 4.However, when the pedal 8 has been fully depressed, the operator allowsit to return to its position, in which situation the initial impulse ofpower creates enough inertia to propel the vehicle and causes the chain60 to rotate the output member 56. When the output member is thusrotated, the repositioning cam surfaces 70 slide the sliding pawl 72 outof engagement with the tooth with which it was engaged during the firstportion of the stroke and into engagement with the next succeedingtooth.

For the sake of easy repositioning of the sliding pawl relative to theinternal teeth which it engages, it is preferred that the pawl bepositioned at the beginning of the stroke between a four oclock position(as in FIG. 2) and a six oclock position. In this fashion, gravityreturns the sliding pawl. Also, on occasion, a small helical spring maybe supported in the right hand portionof the slot 74 (as seen in FIG. 2)thereby to bias the sliding pawl into tooth engagement.

Although a specific embodiment with a particular hypothesis of operationhas been disclosed, the invention is not intended to be limited thereto.The invention as stated in the following claims comprehends all thosechanges, substitutions of equivalents or modifications which would beobvious to one skilled in the art.

I claim:

1. A vehicle comprising in combination a platform having an openingtherein;

ground engaging means for supporting said platform above the ground formotion relative to the ground, said ground engaging means including atleast one guide wheel revolvable about a horizontal axis and guide wheelmounting means for supporting said guide wheel to turn relative 'tosaidplatform through a horizontal are thereby to guide the vehicle;

a steering cage assembly movably supported from said platform andincluding first and second closed members respectively disposed aboveand below said platform, said first closed member defining a cockpit inan unobstructed central region within its confines, a columnar memberextending through said platform opening secured at each end to one ofsaid closed members and maintainging said closed members in verticalspaced-apart relationship and bearing means connected between saidplatform and said columnar member for movably supporting said steeringcage assembly from said platform; and

a steering linkage means connected between said cage assembly and saidat least one guide wheel for revolving said guide wheel in response to,and in the same direction as, said steering cage assembly,

whereby said vehicle provides a place for an operator in said firstmember central region and the vehicle is steerable by turning said cageassembly relative to said platform and about a generally vertical axis.

2. A vehicle comprising in combination a platform having therein aplurality of arcuate slots arranged around the periphery of a circle;

ground engaging means for supporting said platform above the ground formotion relative to the ground, said ground engaging means including atleast one guide wheel revolvable about a horizontal axis and guide wheelmounting means for supporting said guide wheel'to turn relative to saidplatform through a generally horizontal are thereby to guide thevehicle, said at least one guide wheel being disposed adjacent one edgeof the platform;

a steering cage assembly movably supported from said platform andincluding first and second members respectively disposed above and belowsaid platform, said first member having an open unobstructed centralregion defining a cockpit large enough to accommodate a vehicleoperator, a plurality of columns respectively extending through saidarcuate slots and connected between said first and second membersthereby vertically spacing apart said first and second members, andbearing means connected between said platform and selected ones of saidcolumns for movably supporting said steering cage assembly from saidplatform;

and a steering linkage means connected between said cage assembly andsaid at least one guide wheel for revolving said guide wheel in responseto, and in the same direction as, said steering cage assembly, wherebysaid vehicle is steerable from within said central region by turningsaidsteering cage assembly to position said at least one guide wheel.

3. A vehicle constructed in accordance with claim 2 and furtherincluding means for adjusting the vertical length of said volumns,whereby the height of said steering cage assembly above the platform isadjustable to the height of the operator of the vehicle.

4. A vehicle comprising in combination a platform having openingstherein;

ground engaging means for supporting said platform above the ground formotion relative to the ground, said ground engaging means including atleast one .guide wheel revolvable about a horizontal axis and guidewheel mounting means for supporting said guide wheel to turn relative tosaid platform through a horizontal are thereby to guide the vehicle;

' a steering cage assembly movably supported'from said platform andincluding first and second closed members respectively disposed aboveand below said platform, said first closed member defining'a closedcockpit in a central region on said platform and said second closedmember being operatively secured to said ground engaging means, columnarmembers I extending through said platform openings and secured at eachend to said closed members to maintain said closed members in verticalspaced-apart relationship and bearing means connected between saidplatform and said columnar members for movably supportion said steeringcage assembly; and

a steering linkage means connected between said second closed member ofsaid steering cage assembly and said guide wheel for revolving saidguide wheel in respone to, and in the same direction, as said steeringcage assembly, 7 one way reciprocating drive means supported from saidplatform and operable from within said cockpit and connected to saidground engaging means for transmitting driving force to said groundengaging means during the first stroke of a two stroke recip rocatingdrive cycle and for returningto a starting position during a followingsecond stroke of the drive cycle,

whereby said vehicle is capable of being propelled by applying a manualdriving force to said drive means while being steerable by theapplication of a manual force to said steering means while the operatoris positioned within said cockpit, and whereby said driving force may beincreased by utilizing the leverage of said steering means to achieveadditional thrust.

(References on following page) References Cited in the file of thispatent UNITED STATES PATENTS Beardsley July 19, 1960 'Wo1ner Sept. 18,1962 5 Junge Oct. 6, 1885 Clockers Oct. 14, 1919 Stoehrer et a1 Sept.11, 1923 8 Kohler Aug. 2, 1927 Rubinich July 29, 1941 Cartmill Feb. 17,1948 Robertson et a1. Sept' 20, 1960 Kahl May 30, 1961 FOREIGN PATENTSGermany Dec. 19, 1900

4. A VEHICLE COMPRISING IN COMBINATION A PLATFORM HAVING OPENINGSTHEREIN; GROUND ENGAGING MEANS FOR SUPPORTING SAID PLATFORM ABOVE THEGROUND FOR MOTION RELATIVE TO THE GROUND, SAID GROUND ENGAGING MEANSINCLUDING AT LEAST ONE GUIDE WHEEL REVOLVABLE ABOUT A HORIZONTAL AXISAND GUDE WHEEL MOUNTING MEANS FOR SUPPORTING SAID GUIDE WHEEL TO TURNRELATIVE TO SAID PLATFORM THROUGH A HORIZONTAL ARC THEREBY TO GUIDE THEVEHICLE; A STEERING CAGE ASSEMBLY MOVABLY SUPPORTED FROM SAID PLATFORMAND INCLUDING FIRST AND SECOND CLOSED MEMBERS RESPECTIVELY DISPOSEDABOVE AND BELOW SAID PLATFORM, SAID FIRST CLOSED MEMBER DEFINING ACLOSED COCKPIT IN A CENTRAL REGION ON SAID PLATFORM AND SAID SECONDCLOSED MEMBER BEING OPERATIVELY SECURED TO SAID GROUND ENGAGING MEANS,COLUMNAR MEMBERS EXTENDING THROUGH SAID PLATFORM OPENINGS AND SECURED ATEACH END TO SAID CLOSED MEMBERS TO MAINTAIN SAID CLOSED MEMBERS INVERTICAL SPACED-APART RELATIONSHIP AND BEARING MEANS CONNECTED BETWEENSAID PLATFORM AND SAID COLUMNAR MEMBERS FOR MOVABLY SUPPORTION SAIDSTEERING CAGE ASSEMBLY; AND A STEERING LINKAGE MEANS CONNECTED BETWEENSAID SECOND CLOSED MEMBER OF SAID STEERING CAGE ASSEMBLY AND SAID GUIDEWHEEL FOR REVOLVING SAID GUIDE WHEEL IN RESPONSE TO, AND IN THE SAMEDIRECTION, AS SAID STEERING CAGE ASSEMBLY, ONE WAY RECIPROCATING DRIVEMEANS SUPPORTED FROM SAID PLATFORM AND OPERABLE FROM WITHIN SAID COCKPITAND CONNECTED TO SAID GROUND ENGAGING MEANS FOR TRANSMITTING DRIVINGFORCE TO SAID GROUND ENGAGING MEANS DURING THE FIRST STROKE OF A TWOSTROKE RECIPROCATING DRIVE CYCLE AND FOR RETURNING TO A STARTINGPOSITION DURING A FOLLOWING SECOND STROKE OF THE DRIVE CYCLE, WHEREBYSAID VEHICLE IS CAPABLE OF BEING PROPELLED BY APPLYING A MANUAL DRIVINGFORCE TO SAID DRIVE MEANS WHILE BEING STEERABLE BY THE APPLICATION OF AMANUAL FORCE TO SAID STEERING MEANS WHILE THE OPERATOR IS POSITIONEDWITHIN SAID COCKPIT, AND WHEREBY SAID DRIVING FORCE MAY BE INCREASED BYUTILIZING THE LEVERAGE OF SAID STEERING MEANS TO ACHIEVE ADDITIONALTHRUST.